Effect of Qingre Quyu Granule (清热祛瘀颗粒) on Stabilizing Plaques in the Brachiocephalic Artery of Apolipoprotein E Defficient Mice

Objective: To investigate the effect of Qingre Quyu Granule (清热祛瘀颗粒, QRQYG) on stabilizing vulnerable plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) defficient mice. Methods: Seventy-two male ApoE defficient mice were given a high-fat diet from 6 weeks of age. At the 16th week, all the mice were randomized into 3 groups: the QRQYG group, the simvastatin group, and the control group. Sixteen weeks after administration of 0.9 g/kg QRQYG, 3 mg/kg simvastatin or 10 mg/kg sodium chloride per day to the respective groups, the animals were euthanized. The pathological morphologic changes in the vulnerable plaques were evaluated, the matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) expression was measured by immunohistofluorescence, the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was determined by ELISA, the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) subunit p65 was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, and, finally, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) was determined by the immunohistochemical method. Results: The plaque cross-sectional area in the brachiocephalic artery (23.7%, P0.01), the lipid core of the plaque (43.1%±3.1%), and the number of buried ?brotic caps of the plaque were significantly decreased in the QRQYG group compared to the control group (both P0.01); furthermore, the thickness of the ?brotic cap of the plaque increased and the intra-plaque hemorrhage of the plaque decreased. The serum soluble ICAM-1 (27.1±5.1 μg/mL), the protein expression of MMP-9 and TSP-1 and the p65 mRNA expression increased in the QRQYG group in comparison with the control group (P0.05 or P0.01). Conclusion: QRQYG could stabilize the vulnerable plaque through inhibition of the inflammatory response.     

Qingre Quyu Granule(清热祛瘀颗粒)Stabilizes Plaques through Inhibiting the Expression of Tenascin-C in Patients with Severe Carotid Stenosis

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of Qingre Quyu Granule(清热祛瘀颗粒,QQG)on the patients with severe carotid stenosis,and to explore the mechanism of it.Methods:Ninety-six patients with severe carotid stenosis were enrolled in the study and were classified into a QQG group(n=48) and a control group(n=48) randomly using consecutively numbered envelopes.The patients in the QQG group were given QQG and Western medicine,those in the control group were given Western medicine merely,the course of treatment was 16 weeks.All patients went through endarterectomy after treatment.Plaques were subjected to the analysis of CD3,CD68,soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1),matrix metalloprotease-9(MMP-9),CD40 L,tenascin-C,and collagen content lipid content by immunohistochemistry or polarized light analysis.Results:By the end of experiment,the expressions of CD3,CD68,ICAM-1,MMP9,CD40 L and tenascin-C on the plaques were statistically significant lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P0.01).The lipid content of the plaque was also significantly lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P0.01).The interstitial collagen in the tissue sections of the plaques was also significantly higher in the QQG group in comparison with the control group(P0.01).Conclusion:QQG could stabilize carotid artery plaques through inhibiting pro-inflammation factors and restraining the tenascin-C and MMP9 pathway.     

Effect of Quyu Jiedu Granule (祛瘀解毒颗粒) on microenvironment of ova in patients with endometriosis

Objective:To observe the effect of Quyu Jiedu Granules(祛瘀解毒颗料,QJG) on the micro-environment of ova in patients with endometriosis(EM).Methods:Twenty EM patients who received in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) were randomized equally into a treated group and a control group. Further,20 patients who received IVF-ET due to oviduct factors were enrolled into a non-endometriosis group. The dosage of gonadotrophic hormone used,the number of ova attained,fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy...     

Effect of Tianhuang Granule(田黄冲剂) on Intracranial Pressure and Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Patients with Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage

<正>Objective:To study the effect and mechanism of Tianhuang Granule(田黄冲剂,THG)on hydrocephalus in the patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage(ACH)through intracranial pressure(ICP) monitoring,serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)level observation,and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scoring(for nerve function deficit).Methods:Sixty patients with ACH were equally randomized into two groups by lottery,the control group and the THG group;all were treated with conventional therapy, but to the patients in the THG group,THG was given orally in addition for 28 days.Changes of ICP,MMP-9 expression,and NIHSS scores,as well as the degree of cerebral hematoma and hydrocephalus(by cranial CT scanning)in the patients,were estimated and compared.Results:(1)ICP was lowered more significantly in the THG group,showing a significant difference between groups on day 7(P0.05).(2)MMP-9 expression was down-regulated in the THG group more significantly and earlier than that in the control group.(3)The degrees of cerebral hematoma and hydrocephalus in the THG group on day 7 were reduced significantly as compared with those on day 3(P0.05),but in the control group,the day of significant reduction was delayed to day 14,and the degrees on day 7 and day 14 in the two groups were significantly different(P0.05 and P0.01).(4)NIHSS score was significantly lower in the THG group than that in the control group on day 14 and day 28(P0.05 and P0.01).Conclusion:THG can effectively lower ICP,down-regulate MMP-9 expression,promote the absorption of cerebral hematoma and hydrocephalus,and improve the nerve function,showing a clinical effectiveness than conventional therapy.     

Effect of Erzhi Pill (二至丸) on Improving Cerebral Nerve Cell Apoptosis in Aging Rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of Erzhi Pill (二至丸,,EZP) on nerve cell apoptosis iinn senescence model rats.Methods: The rats model of senescence was established by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy.Forty SD rats were randomized into four groups,the normal control group,the senescence model group,the EZP treated group,and the vitamins treated group,10 in each group.The rats were made into senescence model except those in the normal group.In the same time of D-galactose injection,the rats were treated respectively with distilled water,EZP 4.32 g/kg,and vitamins E and C 0.06 g/kg daily for 6 weeks via intragastric infusion.The index of main viscera (as brain,testis,etc.),serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,and total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC) were measured after a 6-week treatment.Meanwhile,the cerebral cortex neuronal apoptosis proportion and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry.Results: Both EZP and vitamins E and C treatments showed effects on increasing testis index and serum level of T-AOC,reducing the percentage of neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex,and elevating MMP in the aging rats model.Conclusions: EZP could inhibit the cerebral cortex neuron apoptosis and maintain the mitochondrial function in the senescent process of rats induced by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy.It also shows antioxidation effect to some extents.     

Effect of Qiangxin Fumai Granule（强心复脉颗粒） on Electrophysiological Functions of the Sinoatrial Node during Ischemia-reperfusion of the Right Coronary Artery in Rabbits

Objective： To study the effect of the Chinese medicine Qiangxin Fumai Granule （强心复脉颗粒, QFG） on electrophysiological functions of the sinoatrial node during ischemia-reperfusion （IR） of the right coronary artery in rabbits. Methods： The right coronary artery IR model in rabbits was adopted. The modeled rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups： the model group, the atropine group, the highdose QFG group, and the low-dose QFG group, with 8 animals in each group. In addition, twelve rabbits were selected for the sham-operative group. The drugs were administered once via duodenal perfusion after modeling had been stabilized for 10 min. The changes in AA interval, the sinoatrial conduction time （SACT）, the sinus node recovery time （SNRT）, the corrected sinus node recovery time （CSNRT） and the index of sinus node recovery time （ISNRT） at different time points during ischemia and reperfusion were measured. Results： The AA interval was prolonged for more than 40 ms in the model group during ischemia. Compared with the model group, the four electrophysiological parameters abovementioned in the high-dose QFG group and the low-dose QFG group were decreased to different extents at each time point （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）, and no statistically significant differences were found between the QFG groups and the atropine group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： QFG is beneficial for accelerating the recovery of sinus node autorhythmicity and conduction function, so as to protect electrophysiological functions of the sinoatrial node. Accelerating the recovery of autorhythmicity and conduction function in the sinus node is considered its electrophysiological mechanism in the treatment of sinoatrial node injury induced by ischemia.     

Effect of Yiqi Bushen Granule (益气补肾颗粒) on the Peripheral Natural Killer Cell and γ δ T-cell in the Patients with Minimal Residual Leukemia

Objective: To analyze the changes in peripheral natural killer T-cells (NKT) and gammadelta T-cells (γδT-cell) in patients with minimal residual leukemia (MRL) before and after being treated with Yiqi Bushen Granule (益气补肾颗粒, YBG) in order to determine their significance in prognosis of the disease. Methods: Before and after treatment, the changes in 36 patients (16 males and 20 females) receiving long-term (more than 3 months) YBG therapy were analyzed using multi-parameter flow cytometry, with 34 healthy persons (19 males and 15 females) acting as controls. Results: The absolute value and percentage of NKT cells and γδT-cells were all significantly raised after treatment, for NKT cells, 0.52%±0.39% to 0.83%±0.66% and 7.25±7.77 cell/μL to 12.86±11.99 cell/μL, for γδT-cells, 6.08%±3.03% to 7.24%±2.78% and 83.97±48.09 cell/μL to 110.53±54.12 cell/μL, respectively (P0.05 or P0.01). Conclusion: YBG could regulate the immune function and elevate the amount of NKT cells and γδT-cells, thus to kill or suppress the residual leukemic cell in the body, which might be one of the mechanisms of YBG in prolonging the disease-free survival in MRL patients.     

Effect of Yifei Huoxue Granule (益肺活血颗粒) on the proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells upon exposure to chronic hypoxic conditions in vitro

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of Yifei Huoxue Granule （益肺活血颗粒,YFHXG） on the hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells（PASMCs） and its mechanism of decreasing pulmonary arterial pressure.Methods:Twenty male Sprague-Dawley（SD） rats were randomly divided into four groups:saline,and 0.66,3.30 and 16.50 g/kg of YFHXG groups,the saline and different concentrations of YFHXG were given twice daily for 7 days,respectively.Serum-pharmacology method was used in the preparation of YFHXG serum.Tissue block anchorage was employed in the primary culture of rat PASMCs.The PASMCs were randomly divided into normoxia group,hypoxia group,and hypoxia+YFHXG group （0.66,3.30 and 16.50 g/kg doses of YFHXG-treated serum groups,exposed to hypoxic condition）.PASMCs in normoxia and hypoxia group were cultured with saline serum,hypoxia+YFHXG groups were cultured with different concentrations of YFHXG serum.Cell viability was assessed with 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT） assay.Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry.In addition,hypoxia inducible factor-1-alpha（HIF-1α） protein expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry analysis,the concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species（ROS） and Ca²⁺ were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy（LSCM）.Results:MTT assay and flow cytometry showed that hypoxia could directly activate the proliferation of PASMCs,while YFHXG dose-dependently inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs.Immunocytochemistry showed that hypoxia enhanced HIF-1αprotein expression,and LSCM showed that hypoxia significantly increased intracellular ROS and Ca²⁺,while YFHXG decreased the expression of HIF- 1αand attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in intracellular concentration of ROS and Ca²⁺.Conclusions: YFHXG could inhibit hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs,which may decrease pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular remodeling.The anti-hypoxia effect of YFHXG may be explained by its regulation of HIF-1α expression and of the levels of intracellular ROS and Ca²⁺.     

Clinical Study on the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis of Shen(肾)-Sui(髓) Insufficiency Syndrome Type by Electroacupuncture

<正>Objective:To study the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA)on treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA)of Shen(肾)-Sui(髓)insufficiency(SSI)syndrome type.Methods:A total of 245 patients(279 knees)of KOA-SSI were randomly assigned to two groups by lottery:141 knees in the treatment group and 138 knees in the control group.The treatment group was managed with EA at the dominant points of Neixiyan(Ex-LE4) and Waixiyan(Ex-LE5)as well as the conjugate points of Xuanzhong(GB39)and Taixi(KI3)for 30 min,once a day,with 15 days as one course;2 courses were applied with a 5-day interval in between.The control group was treated with intra-articular injection of 2 mL hyaluronic acid into the affected joint every 7 days for 5 times in total.The clinical effects on the patients in different stages were observed,and their symptom scores of knee and contents of cytokines,including interleukin-1(IL-1),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), prostaglandin E_(2α)(PGE_(2α)and matrix metalloproteinases-3(MMP-3),in the knee joint fluid were measured before and after treatment.Results:The study was completed in 235 patients(263 knees);four patients(7 knees) in the treatment group and six patients(9 knees)in the control group dropped out.Comparison of therapeutic effects(excellent and effective rates)between the two groups showed insignificant differences(P0.05). Symptom scores of knee and contents of cytokines in the knee fluid after treatment were lowered significantly in the patients of stageⅠ-Ⅲin both groups(P0.05 or P0.01).However,the lowering of the total symptom score of knee in the patients of stageⅢin the treatment group was more significant(P0.05).Conclusions:EA could effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms in KOA patients of stage 1,showing an effect superior to that of hyaluronic acid.EA also shows action in suppressing the secretion of IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,PGE_(2α)and MMP-3 in the knee fluid.     

Effectiveness of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒) on 5-Serotonin and Norepinephrine in the Brain of Parkinson's Disease Patients with Depressive State

Objective：To observe the clinical curative effect of Chinese medicine Bushen Huoxue Granule（补肾活血颗粒,BHG） on Parkinson＇s disease（PD） patients with depressive state.Methods：Sixty-two PD patients with depressive state were randomly assigned to two groups by using a random number table,31 in each group.Madopar was given to all as the conventional treatment.The fluoxetine hydrochloride dispersible tablet was given to the patients in the control group and BHG was given to those in the treatment group.The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks.Before and after treatment,Hamilton depression rating scale（HAMD） was applied to judge the curative effect,and the changes of cerebral neurotransmitters levels in the brain of patients were detected by encephalofluctuograph technique.Results：The scores of HAMD in the two groups were decreased markedly after 12-week treatment.It was lower in the treatment group than that in the control group with significant difference（P〈0.01）.The contents of norepinephrine（NE） and 5-serotonin（5-HT） in the PD patients were obviously lower than normal value.There was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment（P〉0.05）.The contents of NE and 5-HT were all increased in the two groups after treatment（P〈0.05）,with significant differences between the two groups（P〈0.01）.Conclusion：BHG could increase the contents of NE and 5-HT in PD patients＇ brain to improve the depressive state of PD patients.     

Scavenging effect of Naoerkang (脑尔康) on amyloid beta-peptide deposition in the hippocampus in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Objective  

To observe the effect of a Chinese medicine compound, Naoerkang (脑尔康, NEK), on amyloid-beta peptide (1–42; Aβ_1–42) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expressions in the hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model rats.